'Finding Nemo 3D' box office bubbles

09-16-2012, 04:01 PM

'Finding Nemo 3D' opened in second place in the weekend box office race with $17.5 million on 2,904 screens.

As for Nemo, the movie is one of the critical and fan favorites in the Pixar canon. Originally released in 2003, the underwater tale, featuring the voices of Albert Brooks and Ellen DeGeneres, grossed $867.6 million prior to its arrival in a new 3D version. But instead of acting like The Lion King, which opened to $30.2 million when it was released in 3D a year ago, Nemo performed more like the 3D return of Beauty and the Beast, which opened to $17.8 million in January. And 3D proved a major lure: 96 percent of the tickets sold came from 3D engagments, in line with what Disney witnessed with Lion King.

"Overall, it was a nice balance," Dave Hollis, Disney exec vp for theatrical exhibition, sales and distribution, said of the audience that turned out for the movie, which cost about $5 million to convert to 3D. Fifty-six percent of the audience was female, 46 percent was over 25, and families made up 71 percent of the ticket-buyers. "It delivered on multiple levels, drawing families during the day, and the date-night audience in the evenings. At the end of the day, it matched Beauty and the Beast. And since it only cost a modest amount of money, it's a nice bit of found change for both us and the exhibitors."

'mI going to pass, on seeing Nemo in 3D, even though it is one of my favorited Pixar movies.

~ However, I would have gone to see it, if only they would have offered those cool "3D Orange Snorkling Scuba Goggles" that they had at some of the previews. If I'm going to pay extra for a 3D movie, they can afford to have special glasses for them.

Critter Country's a mess ev'r since the Country Bears were kicked out. Ya can't cover pooh with honey and 'spect people ta like it.

An Adventurers It'sTimetoPut the Spotlight BackonBring Back the REAL Disney Gallery